• Czech Republic in Group A for Euro 2008
    12/02/2007

    The Czech Republic will face Switzerland in the opening game of next year’s European football championship, Euro 2008. A final draw for the final four groups in the tournament was held at Lucerne on Sunday. Along with Switzerland, the Czech Republic will face Turkey and Portugal in Group A. The opening match of Euro 2008 will take place on June 7th at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Bauer wins World Cup classic style 15K race in Finland
    12/02/2007

    Cross-country skier Lukas Bauer has won the World Cup classic style 15-kilometres at Kussamo, Finland. In the race he beat Eldar Ronning of Norway by 20.4 seconds, with an overall time of 37 minutes, 15.8 seconds. Axel Teichmann of Germany was third. Bauer, who took silver in the Turin Olympics in 2006 in the 15K classic, now has four career World Cup titles.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • NHL ice hockey: Bonk, Erat score in shootout to see Preds edge Canadiens
    12/02/2007

    The Montreal Canadiens squandered a 3-goal lead in NHL ice hockey action on Saturday, ultimately losing their game against the Nashville Predators 5:4 in a penalty shootout. The Predator’s comeback was clinched by Czech forward and former Hab Radek Bonk in the 3rd period: he scored with just 46.8 seconds remaining to take the game to extra time. Bonk scored again in penalties, as did Martin Erat, winning the match for Nashville.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Pendolino derailment an act of sabotage
    12/01/2007

    The derailment of a Pendolino train east of Prague on Saturday was an act of sabotage, Czech Railways have confirmed. A spokesman revealed there is evidence the track was purposely pre-cut on the outskirts of Prague near the town of Dolni Pocernice. The train derailed shortly before 12 pm; there were no injuries, but all six of the train’s cars left the track. The driver managed to react to a sharp thud beneath the vehicle, pulling the emergency brake. As a result, the train was reportedly moving very slowly when it came off the rails. Damages to the Pendolino have been estimated at 25 million crowns (the equivalent of roughly 1.4 million US dollars).
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • 18-year-old driver hits teens, leading to one fatality
    12/01/2007

    An 18-year-old driver was involved in an accident on Friday in north Bohemia which killed one pedestrian and injured two others. Those hit were three girls in their early teens, who had been walking by the roadside. The two survivors are in intensive care. The driver had a four-month-old licence. A breathalyser test ruled out alcohol as a factor in the accident, but police have revealed that the technical state of the vehicle was not in order.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Number of road deaths in November drops
    12/01/2007

    In related news, the number of deaths on Czech roads dropped somewhat in November: 83 fatalities compared to 96 the month before. However, the overall number of road accidents in November rose: the month saw more 16,000 cases, some 670 more than in October.

    Earlier in 2007 the head of the traffic police, Zdenek Bambas, resigned over the number the situation on Czech roads; his successor has promised to improve safety and to clamp down on reckless driving.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Czech Agency Against Exclusion to begin operating in January
    12/01/2007

    The Czech Agency Against Social Exclusion whose goal is to fight against ghettoisation will begin operating in 12 Czech towns and selected areas as of January. The Minister in charge of minority issues and human rights, Dzamila Stehlikova, made the announcement on Friday. The agency will operate in six areas in Bohemia and six in Moravia. The government will officially approve its establishment in December, Mrs Stehlikova said.

    According to analysis, there are more that 300 sites populated by the poor, mostly Romanies, that need to be addressed. Up to 80,000 people live in the ghettos. Most of adult residents are jobless, leaving families dependent on social benefits, while children are often sent to “special schools” for less gifted students. The government pledged to establish the agency in its policy statement and has set aside financial means for its operation in its next year's draft budget.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Christmas markets open in Czech capital
    12/01/2007

    Two of Prague’s best-known Christmas markets opened on Saturday at the city’s Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, selling roasted chestnuts, mead, Christmas decorations, and traditional holiday items. 150 stands are selling wares. Saturday’s events include the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Old Town Square, to be attended by Prague’s Mayor Pavel Bem. Organisers expect between 15,000 – 20,000 visitors to attend. The markets will stay open until January 1st, 2008.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Speed skater Sablikova wins third World Cup race
    12/01/2007

    Martina Sablikova has won the 5,000 metres in World Cup speed skating in Kolomna, Russia, the third world cup event she has clinched this season, following victories in the 3,000 metres in Salt Lake City and Calgary. Sablikova has now accumulated 300 pts to keep her atop the World Cup standings, followed by Claudia Pechstein of Germany, and Clara Hughes of Canada.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • NHL ice hockey: Hemsky, Hejduk score
    12/01/2007

    In NHL ice hockey action on Friday Czech right-wing forward Ales Hemsky scored once to help his Edmonton Oilers easily beat the Anaheim Ducks 5:1. In other games: Milan Hejduk scored for the Colorado Avalanche but his team was still edged by San Jose 3:2.
    Author: Jan Velinger

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